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Atlanta-area triple murder suspect is in New Orleans, authorities believe

Bell 2.jpg

Robert Bell, 33, is wanted in connection with a September triple homicide in Snellville, Ga. He is believed to be in New Orleans. This is believed to be the more recent photo of Bell than the image below, police said.
(GCPD)

A man who is suspected in an Atlanta-area triple killing is currently in New Orleans, authorities believe.

Robert Bell, 33, is suspected of shooting three people to death, including a 12-year-old boy, during an apparent domestic incident on Sept. 15 in Snellville, Ga., according to the Gwinnett County Police Department. A fourth person was wounded in the shooting, police said.

Police believe Robert Bell used this Bushmaster XM-15 in a triple homicide in Snellville, Ga.Gwinnett County Police Department

Bell was traced to New Orleans through a stolen pickup truck that was recovered by the NOPD on Oct. 2, police said. Authorities did not immediately have information about where in New Orleans the car was found.

A spokesman for Gwinnett County police said detectives have additional information leading them to believe Bell is in New Orleans, but would not elaborate. The Gwinnett County Police Department is working with the New Orleans Police Department to locate Bell, according to Gwinnett County police spokesman Jake Smith.

On Sept. 15 about 9 p.m., police responded to a domestic disturbance call at 4630 Anderson-Livsey Lane in Snellville. The caller stated that a man was chasing a woman outside a home and firing a gun at her, police said.

When police officers arrived, they found 34-year-old Angelina Benton and 23-year-old Justin Cato suffering from gunshot wounds. Benton, who was shot several times, later died of her injuries. Cato was shot in the leg and is expected to survive.

Robert Bell, 33, is wanted in connection with a triple killing in the Atlanta area. This photo is believed to be less recent than the image above, police said.Gwinnett County Police Department

Inside the home, Benton's son Joseph McDonald, 12, and her godson Raynord Daniel, 19, were found dead. Both had been shot several times, police said.

The pickup truck that was recovered in New Orleans was stolen a half-mile away from the Anderson-Livey Lane house on the same day as the shootings, police said.

Bell is described as 6 feet tall, and 300 pounds. Police said he should be considered armed and dangerous.His black SUV was recovered at the scene of the shootings. A rifle found in the vehicle is believed to be the murder weapon, police said.

Gwinnett Country detectives have determined that Benton had allowed Bell and his wife, Danielle Hill-Bell, to move into her home about two weeks before the shooting. This seems to have been a charitable act by Benton, police said. The victims and the suspect were thought to be on good terms, police said, and the motive for the killings is not clear.

Crimestoppers Atlanta is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and indictment of Bell. Anyone with information on Bell's whereabouts can call Crimestoppers New Orleans toll free at 1.877.903.7867. Callers can remain anonymous.